Startup Tulsa
Since the beginning of the pandemic, companies have been forced to rethink everything. While agility is no stranger to startups, even the most innovative companies have struggled to adapt to the massive changes brought on by COVID-19. As Israeli startups reimagine their approach to expansion, locations that were consider tech hubs before the pandemic are in free fall. In cities like New York and San Francisco, demand for office space and residential housing has plummeted. Meanwhile, interest in smaller cities has risen as workers and companies alike imagine a future with more flexible work. While this shift may have begun before the pandemic, COVID-19 has proven to be the great accelerator.
Many workers are reimagining their careers and recognizing the importance of work-life balance. The pandemic has forced us to reevaluate our approach toward health, family, and community. In doing so, professionals are looking to emerging cities that not only reflect these values but are also eager to support a thriving start-up community. For some, remote work may be here to say, and it has changed the game. Tech workers can build their careers anywhere, from Tel Aviv to Tulsa.
Startup Tulsa
Among the emerging tech hubs is Tulsa: a city welcoming Israeli startups, and gearing up to be the center of a number of key growth industries. Tulsa has a long history as an energy powerhouse and is leveraging that expertise to take the lead in relevant verticals including energy tech, cyber, aerospace, and agritech. In fact, University of Tulsa is already one of the largest feeders for US intelligence agencies. Consequently, Team8, a leading player in cybersecurity VC, has established a PHD program at the university.
In addition to its expanding edge in cyber, Tulsa has a built an ecosystem around welcoming innovation to the city. Looking to Tulsa, companies and workers alike find a growing venture community, affordable cost of living, and a tremendous array of additional resources.
Organizations like the Tulsa Innovation Labs and inTulsa are connecting the city’s local talent pool and business community to new players, accelerating the already growing ecosystem.
Building Community
Cities like Tulsa offer a win-win for workers and companies alike, offering significant resources without the high cost of living in coastal cities. Even more, these smaller cities are well-versed in the importance of community. While high-quality startups and talent can get lost in big cities like New York, they won’t fall through the cracks in Midwestern cities like Tulsa. At venture capital firms like Atento Capital, startups are finding that Tulsans are eager to welcome innovators.
Further, Tulsa has taken a unique approach to recruiting talent through the Tulsa Remote program, offering remote workers $10,000 to relocate to the city. Midwestern cities are known for their hospitality, and Tulsa’s startup community is no exception.
Along with its growing start-up ecosystem, Tulsa offers tech workers an environment well-suited to their new priorities. Before the pandemic, workers may have had to choose between community, family, and career ambition. With more flexible location options, entrepreneurs can find a balance in cities like Tulsa.
*Sara Mae Moore assisted in the writing and editing of this piece
Jonathan ‘Yoni’ Frenkel heads Partnerships at Atento Capital. He leads the effort to assist US and Israeli companies with hiring highly skilled remote workers in Tulsa. To learn more about how you can hire and succeed in Tulsa contact him directly at: yoni@atentocapital.com